What Was the Enlightenment? AP Euro Bit by Bit #25

Summary

In this video, Paul Sarge discusses the Enlightenment, a period where thinkers applied the methods of the Scientific Revolution to human society, seeking natural laws that governed it. They questioned established authorities, using reason to address political representation, natural rights, and religious tolerance. Figures like Voltaire, Diderot, Rousseau, and Montesquieu contributed to these ideas, with John Locke laying early foundations. The Enlightenment influenced major events, such as the U.S. Declaration of Independence and Constitution, shaping modern society. Paul provides a concise overview of this transformative era in European history.

Takeaways

• 💡 The Enlightenment was a period when people applied methods from the Scientific Revolution to human society to discover natural laws.
• 🔬 Thinkers of the Enlightenment were inspired by the works of Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton, who challenged old authorities and traditional beliefs.
• 🧠 The Enlightenment emphasized human reason and rationalism to solve societal problems and improve life for Europeans.
• 🏛️ Key issues addressed during the Enlightenment included political representation, natural rights, religion, and the limits of rulers' power.
• 📚 Denis Diderot edited the 'Encyclopédie,' a major Enlightenment project that aimed to compile all human knowledge and encourage critical thinking.
• 🤔 Enlightenment thinkers like Voltaire, Rousseau, Montesquieu, and Locke influenced the period with their ideas on politics, society, and freedom.
• 🔧 Isaac Newton's idea of a universe governed by perfect natural laws led Enlightenment thinkers to believe they could find similar laws for human society.
• 👑 Enlightened despotism emerged in some places, where rulers maintained absolute power but embraced some Enlightenment ideals.
• 🇬🇧 England moved toward a constitutional monarchy, where Parliament gained more control, reducing the power of the royal family.
• 🇺🇸 The United States is a significant result of Enlightenment ideals, reflected in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, both promoting natural rights and government based on Enlightenment principles.

Q & A

What was the main goal of the Enlightenment?

The main goal of the Enlightenment was to apply human reason and rationalism to solve societal problems, minimize human suffering, and improve society.

How did the Enlightenment thinkers draw inspiration from the Scientific Revolution?

Enlightenment thinkers applied the methods and ideas of the Scientific Revolution, such as questioning accepted authorities and discovering natural laws, to human society and government.

What were some of the major issues addressed by the Enlightenment?

The Enlightenment addressed issues like political representation, natural rights, religious tolerance, and the limits of rulers' power, aiming to create a better society for all.

Who were some of the key Enlightenment figures mentioned in the transcript?

Key Enlightenment figures mentioned include Voltaire, Diderot, Rousseau, Montesquieu, and John Locke.

What was Denis Diderot’s contribution to the Enlightenment?

Denis Diderot edited the multi-volume 'Encyclopedia,' which compiled human knowledge with the assumption that access to information would allow people to question traditional authorities and ideas.

How did Isaac Newton’s ideas influence the Enlightenment?

Isaac Newton’s ideas, especially his concept of a perfectly ordered universe governed by natural laws, inspired Enlightenment thinkers to believe that similar laws could be discovered for human society.

What was the connection between the Enlightenment and the American Revolution?

The American Revolution was deeply influenced by Enlightenment ideals, as seen in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, which emphasized natural rights, political representation, and religious freedom.

How did Enlightenment thinkers challenge traditional religious authority?

Enlightenment thinkers questioned why priests should be the only ones with the authority to explain religious matters and argued for religious tolerance and freedom.

What is 'enlightened absolutism,' and how does it relate to the Enlightenment?

Enlightened absolutism refers to a form of rule where a monarch retains absolute power but adopts Enlightenment principles to improve society, such as by promoting education or legal reforms.

What are some documents that exemplify Enlightenment ideals, according to the transcript?

The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution are cited as key documents that embody Enlightenment ideals, particularly in their emphasis on natural rights and structured governance.